Sudbury: Link-up with twin towns for Olympics

By Ross Bentley Tuesday, January 24, 2012
11:16 AM

CIVIC organisers in a west Suffolk have invited teams from their twin towns in Europe to compete in an international It’s A Knockout-style competition to coincide with the London Olympics.

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Members of Sudbury Town Twinning Association have been in contact with their counterparts in Denmark, France and Germany with a view to holding a series of sporting and cultural events in and around Sudbury in June. They hope representatives from the three twin towns, Fredensborg, Clermont L’Oise and Höxter, will make the journey to west Suffolk to enjoy a full weekend schedule, which is also intended to involve as many organisations, voluntary groups and businesses as possible from Sudbury.

Sudbury Town mayor Tony Platt, who has been involved in the plans from the start, said: “We see the Olympics as an ideal opportunity to organise a series of events that will bring people together from different countries to enjoy themselves and celebrate the cordial relationships that exist between the towns.

“We have received agreement in principle from the different town associations and have recently written to as many groups as possible from Sudbury inviting them to both take part in the events we are organising and also for them to organise their own events to add to the programme.”

Alongside an It’s A Knockout competition, swimming football and rowing competitions are also planned. A music night at Sudbury Upper School and a visit to Gainsborough’s House museum have also been proposed alongside a trip to Stratford to view the Olympic stadium and other sporting facilities.

“We are so close to London that it makes sense to include a trip to Stratford into the programme, which I’m sure our guests will be very interested in seeing,” added Mr Platt.

The international pow-wow is planned for the weekend of June 22-24 – a month before the real Olympics Games commence on July 27.

The Town Council is providing some funding for the event but is seeking additional funding and sponsorship from local businesses and organisations, so as broad a range of activities as possible can be facilitated. Local employer Delphi, an engineering firm, has already come forward with financial support and organisers are hoping other local companies will lend their support over the coming weeks.

For more information, people can inquire at the Town Hall.